Author(s):
1. Saša Zeljković, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract:
The present paper addresses the removal of copper from aqueous solutions by nano-sized Al2O3. The adsorbent, nano-sized Al2O3 was prepared in the laboratory by a bicarbonate method. The influence of initial concentration and temperature on the removal of Cu(II) ions was studied by varying the initial concentration of Cu(II) from 0.01 to 0.05 mol•L−1 and temperature from 273 to 298 K. It was found that the amount of the removed Cu(II) increases by increasing the initial adsorbate concentration and temperature. The pH of the solutions did not significantly affected the removal of Cu(II), by varying the pH from 4.2 to 2.2. Nevertheless, maximum removal was achieved at pH 4.2. An optimal contact time sufficient for maximum adsorbate removal was found to be 60 minutes. Resultant data were analyzed by Freundlich equations. The value of activation energy indicated that observed adsorption was chemical adsorption. Resulting data at different temperatures were also analyzed by the linear form of Freundlich equation. Values of various thermodynamic parameters were determined for the resultant data. It was understood from the results of this study that adsorption onto nano-Al2O3 is an efficient in performance, simple to operate, and economical process and thereby affordable technology for removal of copper from the contaminated water source.

Key words:
Al2O3, Copper, Adsorption, Nano, Synthesis

Thematic field:
SYMPOSIUM A: Science of matter, condensed matter and physics of solid states

Date of abstract submission:
30.05.2012.

Number of visits:
529

Conference:
Contemporary Materials - 2012 - Savremeni materijali